Container



H. J. MILLER Oct. 31, 1933.

CONTAINER Filed Jan. 27, 1950 Patented Oct. 31, 1933 UNITED [STATES CONTAINER Henry 3. Miller, San Francisco, Calif., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New Jersey Application January 27, 1930. Serial No. 423,654

1 Claim.

' The present invention relates to a container and has particular reference to a container which is hermetically sealed by a double seamed end and a supplemental cover to be used as a re-closure after opening of the container.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a container and cover which may be hermetically sealed and which, when opened, may be temporarily closed by a re-closure adapted to pass freely into assembled position and to frictionally connect with the container wall when in closed position.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a supplemental closure member adapted to engage the container in two independent connections.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a supplemental closure member M adapted to lock with a container in a bayonet is the provision of a supplemental frictional closure provided with a notched and resilient edge adapted to slip over locking protuberances and to engage a formed part of the container in a yielding frictional connection.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a supplemental cover having a relieved peripheral edge adapted to frictionally engage a formed part in the wall of a hermetically sealed container to provide a re-closure for the container after it has been opened.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a container having an end united to form a hermetically sealed container provided with a supplemental re-closure cover connecting therewith in a combined bayonet joint and frictional connection.

Numerous other objects of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing:--

Figure 1 is a plan view of a container, end and supplemental cover embodying the present invention, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the container parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 33 in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the container and its supplemental cover showing the latter in assembling position.

The container of the present invention embodies a container body 11 provided with a bottom end member 12 which may be secured thereto in a double seam. The upper end of the body 11 is secured by a double seam 13 to a top end 14'. The wall of the container body 11 adjacent the double seam 13 is bulged outwardly to provide an annular shoulder consisting of a fiat annular vertical wall 15 connecting with the wall or the body in a lower tapered or inclined wall it and a similar upper wall 17. The outer diameter of the shoulder wall 15 is greater than the diameter of the double seam 13, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

By means of the end member 14 secured to the body 11 in the double seam 13, a hermetically sealed closure is provided and the product which is packed in the container is thus retained in a fresh condition until it reaches the ultimate consumer.

When the container is to be opened, the end member 14 is cut and removed as in the ordinary manner.

Provision is made for a re-closure after the end member 14 has been removed which comprises a supplemental cover 18 provided with a flat annular wall 19 and a depending flange 21 joined to the wall 19 by a rounded portion 22. The flange 21 is bent inwardly and terminates in a peripheral edge 23 further bent inwardly at an angle to the flange 21, this edge being of slightly less diameter than the outer diameter of the wall 15. Notches 24 are cut at spaced intervals in the peripheral edge 23 of the supplemental cover and relieve the continuity thereof while providing greater flexibility.

The notch-es also provide elements in a bayonet joint construction cooperating with spaced protuberances 25 projected outwardly from the flat vertical wall 15. As illustrated in Fig. 3 each protuberance is outlined, bottom and top, by a continuation of the respective walls 16 and 1'7, and this bottom wall of the protuberance co-opcrates with the wall 16 to form a frictional seat for the cover member as will be more fully described.

The construction'of the supplemental cover 18 is such as to permit ready application of the same to the upper end of the container when the same is applied in a definite position. This cover applying position is with the notches 24 in register with the protuberances 25 at whch time the peripheral edge 23 passes freely over the double seam l3 and engages against the upper tapered wall 17. Owing to the inclined surface of the wall 17 and the resiliency of the edge 23, the latter is sprung outwardly suflicient to pass over the wall 15 and to snap under the shoulder thereof into frictional contact with the wall 16. The supplemental cover is thereupon rotated a slight distance on the container and is thereupon firmly and tightly locked in re-closed position.

The greatest diameter of the supplemental cover 18 is in excess of the diameter of the wall '15 and forms a convenient hand-hold for the cover during its application to and rotation upon the container into its fully seated position (Fig. 3). In such position the annular wall 19 presses against the upper edge of the double seam 13 and the peripheral edge 23 engages the tapered wall 16 in a frictional fit that prevents any play between the cover and container and holds the same tightly in position.

As long as the notches 24 are out of alignment with the protuberances 25, the cover can not be removed from the container. notches are aligned with their corresponding protuberances (shown in Fig. 4) the cover can not accidently slip off because of the frictional hold of its edge 23 against the tapered wall 16. To remove the cover from the container, it must be positively lifted.

The added resiliency given to the peripheral edge 23 by the relieved notches 24, while utilized in holding the cover tightly in position, does not interfere with easy rotation and lifting thereof in its removal. There is thus provided a reclosure member that will be securely and tightly held in position upon the container during its shipment to the ultimate consumer and during its subse-' quent use as a re-closure and one that can, at the same time, be easily removed.

The desirable features of a re-closure of this Even when the' type are clearly enhanced by the present provision of two independent, yet co-acting, connections between cover and container.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

A container having a metallic body comprising a cylindrical wall, and an end permanently seamed thereto in an hermetic joint protruding outwardly beyond a line passing through the major surface of the cylindrical wall of the body and parallel with its axis, said body having ad-' jacent and below said joint an outward bulge, said bulge being formed with an outermost cylindrical surface and inwardly inclined and tapering surfaces above and below said cylindrical surface of the bulge, said cylindrical surface of the bulge being formed with spaced outward pr0jections, and an outer slip cover reclosure having a depending flange tapering downwardly and inwardly and adapted to be expanded by and to engage tightly around said bulge and yieldingly hold said cover in assembled position with the body, said flange being formed at its bottom peripheral edge with an inwardly bent portion which is expanded slightly by the inclined surface of the upper part of the bulge and contracts into engagement against the inclined surface of the lower part of the bulge, said cover flange being also formed at its edge with spaced notches corresponding with said outward projections.

HENRY J. MILLER. 

